New M&P15 - What Optics?

I went with a Colt 6920 which came with Magpul sights. After some research I decided on the Eotech 512. People on here were a lot of help with the decision.

Methinks Eotech 512 , or if budget minded (as am I) , Bushnell TRS 25.
Laser...I'd go with the Crimson Trace Rail Master.

I have the Aimpoint mounted on mine. While it hurt me (at least my feelings and my wallet) when I bought it. It is a solid red dot. I only had buyers remorse until I zero'd it and put it through some drills.

I personally love my M&P 15. I bought mne not long after S&W started doing the in house receivers and such. I could not be more happy. They really are great rifles.

1- For close-in, quick acquisition a Laser Max Uni-Max ES red laser, mounted front on the bottom rail.

2- For further out, an Aimpoint CompM3 2MOA mounted on the Aimpoint 30mm ring, over the receiver.

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Personally, in think a laser is pointless if you have a high-quality red-dot. The Aimpoint CompM3 is an excellent choice. You should also look at the Aimpoint PRO. It is a basically a 2 MOA dot CompM3 packaged with the QRP2 mount, and represents an excellent value. I own a PRO, and it is a fantastic optic.

For HD definitely Aimpoint over Eotech. With the former one just leaves the reticle on and replaces the battery once a year or longer if you wish. The Eotechs i've had sucked down batteries even when off and I don't care to be fiddling with buttons while somebody is kicking in my door.

Laser aint a bad idea either as it can speed up time on target but at SD ranges it doesn't matter too much.

Key thing to be aware is that if you fire that thing indoors the noise and flash will be extremely disorienting.

Fishbed77 said:

Personally, in think a laser is pointless if you have a high-quality red-dot. The Aimpoint CompM3 is an excellent choice. You should also look at the Aimpoint PRO. It is a basically a 2 MOA dot CompM3 packaged with the QRP2 mount, and represents an excellent value. I own a PRO, and it is a fantastic optic.

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+1

I have the Eotech 557 and don't see much use for a laser. The Eotech is perfect for CQB and I've shot with out to 100yds on my LMT and got great accuracy.

Want drives the consumer market, and if a laser is wanted, a laser can be had.

We know that he wants one, need is his decision.

Burris AR-332 3x prism scope

Or you could try one of these:



$350 at MidwayUSA

I would second the suggestion of an Aimpoint PRO. I would also forgo the laser.

I echo the suggestion for Aimpoint or Eotech, and forgo the laser for a good flashlight instead.

Keeping with the plan of a budgeted and simple AR, I'm topping my M&P15 Sport with a Bushnell TRS-25 on a riser.

I have some ARs set up with Eotechs, which are good (large circle=fast acquisition, small center dot=accuracy) another with a leupold dangerous game scope with the circle/dot retrofit (like a eotech with magnification) , had some aimpoints with and without the magnifier (great quality, but its still a dot), trijicon reflex sites(the field is dark and hinders target acquisition) and recently starting buying leupold prismatics....I cant vouch for combat reliability, but for civilian conditions, this scope is great. its everything an eotech is, plus good clear glass, an etched reticle, and an illumination option. I now prefer them to everything else on tactical style rifles.

MikePaiN said:

Keeping with the plan of a budgeted and simple AR, I'm topping my M&P15 Sport with a Bushnell TRS-25 on a riser.

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Darn fine choice, sir. 3MOA in a sighting system costing less than $100 with NO starburst is money well spent.

and as far as a laser, I bought a long range green laser but never had much use for it, so now I stuck it on a spike 22 that I use for after-dark battles with oppossums, skunks, etc. and even then its nearly a useless counterweight because of the main optic and light.

Want drives the consumer market, and if a laser is wanted, a laser can be had.

We know that he wants one, need is his decision.

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Which we can only assume is why the OP asked in the first place for our opinions.

Regardless, I still believe the Aimpoint red-dots (CompM3 or PRO) represent an ideal choice for plinking & defense. Lasers can be tough to see in sunlight (when plinking) and present one more thing to be fumbled with in a defensive situation (also a problem with the EOTech optics). The crazy-long battery life of the Aimpoints mean they can be turned on and left on for years. They are always ready to go, just like irons sights.

Fishbed77 said:

Which we can only assume is why the OP asked in the first place for our opinions.

Regardless, I still believe the Aimpoint red-dots (CompM3 or PRO) represent an ideal choice for plinking & defense. Lasers can be tough to see in sunlight (when plinking) and present one more thing to be fumbled with in a defensive situation (also a problem with the EOTech optics). The crazy-long battery life of the Aimpoints mean they can be turned on and left on for years. They are always ready to go, just like irons sights.

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This is true no doubt. But in a defensive situation (and feel free to rebuttle), ,most SD situations are going to take place at night or low light. I dont make stuff up, thats just the way of the criminal world, in which case the red dot is useless here. Let him have his laser.

I can't help on the laser, but if you want one get it. I prefer the Aimpoint but that's just me. The Eotech looks cool but a little busy for my taste. Altghough its hard to beat the bushnell trs-25. IMO I would go for no magnification for HD

TanklessPro said:

I can't help on the laser, but if you want one get it. I prefer the Aimpoint but that's just me. The Eotech looks cool but a little busy for my taste. Altghough its hard to beat the bushnell trs-25. IMO I would go for no magnification for HD

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TRS is amazing for the price. The cost versus value is extraordinary.

most SD situations are going to take place at night or low light. I dont make stuff up, thats just the way of the criminal world, in which case the red dot is useless here. Let him have his laser.

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Um... you do know that an Aimpoint (and pretty much every other electro-optical) red dot is visible in pitch black darkness, right?

Fishbed77 said:

Um... you do know that an Aimpoint (and pretty much every other electro-optical) red dot is visible in pitch black darkness, right?

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Yup. But your target, through a tube in pitch black, may not be. Don't know about you, but I have crappy eyesight, and if I can put a dot on my target, that lets me focus ON said target without using my vision through an optic in low light, all the better. Light gathering in a home at 12:43 a.m. Is not happening.Lasers aren't wasted on those who need them, but those who want them. To each their own.

I have a green laser that I turned the power up on( adjustabl diode). It is on my CMMG AR .22. It is VERY visible in broad daylight. I put it on because it was easier for my wife to use. I have it zero'd at 25 yards. It never gets turned on anymore. The cool thing is it came with a flashlight head that can be changed out in a few seconds. If you want a laser, more power to you. You will probaly enjoy it. Either way, you have a great rifle, customize it to suite you, and enjoy it..

For the money, another vote for the Bushnell.

Yup. But your target, through a tube in pitch black, may not be. Don't know about you, but I have crappy eyesight, and if I can put a dot on my target, that lets me focus ON said target without using my vision through an optic in low light, all the better. Light gathering in a home at 12:43 a.m. Is not happening.

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Aimpoint dots are illuminated. They are also designed to be used with both eyes open and focused on the target. When you shoulder the weapon, you see the dot on the target. It's really that simple.

You don't look "through a tube" and try to focus on a dot. You look at the target and see a dot projected over the target.

Yes, you get a similar effect with a laser. I've found, however, that sometimes to rapidly "find" the laser dot, you have to shoulder and aim the weapon anyway, at which point the laser hasn't gained you anything. Yes, lasers do cast off a little ambient light, but nowhere near enough for safe target identification. As justice06rr mentioned, you are better served by a good flashlight.

Also keep in mind that laser battery life is measured in hours, whereas Aimpoint battery life is measured in years.

Again, to each his own, but I have never found a laser that I was satisfied with.

I never mentioned use for ambient light. I shoot my red dots with both eyes open, never used one that I couldn't, but last evening I stepped out to my porch and turned on my sight in anticipation of a coon that's been savaging my trash at dusk. Worked fine. Then it gets dark. Dot or no dot, looking through, or even eyes open, target focus sucked. Coon never came though.

There still is the hazy scope body just out of focus enough to still be seen when shooting, at least for me anyway. So, if a rifle has to be shouldered for either sighting device, I'd rather put a dot on BGs head, it to me would make a great deterrent and persuasive enough to get he/she out of my home without shots being fired. Someone with a laser between their eyes might be obliging.

True, their batteries are easily drained. That's why you sight it in and leave it off. Plink with it? Not during the day, they're hard to see as it is. HD at night or low light? I think it's a great tool for that. I don't want to point-shoot or HAVE to aim, that's the point. The laser does it for you. Iknow, iknow. A dots a dot. But my posts aren't " aim point vs a laser!"... it's a laser vs ANY red dot in low light or night defense. You'll already be fumbling with switches or knobs to turn the sight on. Why not just hit the laser?

Only laser I've come to enjoy and trust is the Crimson Trace Railmaster. It's on my HD gun, and properly sighted, so I know when the time comes I can hit one button and save lives if need be.
But, as said, each to his own.